O'Leary says Notre Dame deal with ACC is unfair to college football

UCF football coach George O'Leary suggested the college football world shouldn't be so quick to let Notre Dame have its cake and eat it, too.

The Irish fled the Big East Wednesday, joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in all sports except football and hockey. Notre Dame will play football games against ACC opponents. It will be part of the league's bowl future, but it won't have to hand over portions of its lucrative television contract. The Big East has a 27-month exit waiting period, and it is unclear whether the league will reach an agreement with Notre Dame to speed up the Irish's departure.

While Notre Dame gets richer off its national fan base rather than recent success on the football field, the Big East lost its flagship school.

"I don't think anybody should have a right to pick and choose in today's day and age," O'Leary said of Notre Dame's ability to play five ACC games, then seven nonconference games of its choice. "I think that's something that the rest of the conferences shouldn't put up with."

The Irish didn't play football in the Big East, but the league contributed in big ways. It was part of the Big East's non-BCS bowl lineup, helping bolster the league's negotiations for postseason partnerships. It played a major role in calming leaders of non-football schools, which may consider breaking away to form a basketball-centric league.

Connecticut is one powerful remaining member that could step up efforts to find a new home.

"UConn is still one of those power teams, especially in basketball, that could end up in the ACC in time," Digger Phelps, an ESPN college basketball analyst and former Notre Dame men's basketball coach, said during an appearance on SportsCenter Wednesday morning.

While Notre Dame maintains its own exclusive television contract with NBC, it did participate in negotiations for non-football TV rights. The Big East is counting on landing a lucrative new television contract to help it survive following an especially grueling stretch of conference realignment during the past two years.

National analysts have attacked the league, sneering at its football lineup. Notre Dame's marquee association with the league did little to soften those blows.

Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco said the league has a bright future despite Notre Dame's departure.

"Notre Dame has been a valued member of the Big East Conference, and we wish them success in the future," Aresco said in a statement released by the Big East. "However, Notre Dame's departure does not change our plans. We have prestigious institutions that are excited to be a part of the Big East. We remain committed to making the Big East stronger than it has ever been."

O'Leary downplayed the potential impact Notre Dame's move has on Big East football.

"Notre Dame wasn't in the football lineup, anyway," O'Leary said. "Football life moves on. We haven't changed one bit. But overall, it's really about your philosophy. And I don't think anyone should be able to pick and choose."